Tennis: Wait to be praised and other rules of court etiquette

Outdoor clubs that form the backbone of Central Massachusetts tennis, such as Holden Towers, Westboro Tennis and Swim and the venerable Worcester Tennis Club are already open for business.

Sure, the indoor venues of the Greendale YMCA branch in Worcester, Lancaster’s Orchard Hills and the Paxton Sports Centre (which has newly installed high-tech lighting) still beckon on rainy days. And Paxton’s outdoor courts will be open soon.

Also, public courts across the region are sporting newly strung nets and hardcourt surfaces finally free of snow, although they come with debris in many urban settings.

But there is nothing like the fresh outdoor clay that awaits at the relatively affordable private clubs. Clay is easy on the body, particularly the aging body, and it plays cooler in hot weather, soaking up the heat instead of reflecting it back into your feet like hardcourts do.

Now is a nice time to join one of these well-run clubs and take advantage of incentives such as staggered initiation fees and monthly dues payment options.

While you’re pondering your tennis options, the early season is also a good time to review the basics of tennis etiquette.

Etiquette is not for snobs.

It is simply about good sporting manners and respecting the tradition and culture of our sport.

It’s been said that tennis is an apt metaphor for capitalism — civilized on the surface and cutthroat underneath.

That may be so to some extent.

But we want to focus on the civilized part, the constant reminder that while tennis is the quintessential individual sport, you still have to live with others when you’re out there. That includes your opponents, your teammates (in doubles) and players on other courts.

So here are some essential ground rules.

•No chortling after your own good shot. Wait for your opponent to commend you, and offer a polite “thanks.”

•Likewise, when the player across the net hits a great shot, tell him so.

•No “I think the ball was out” and play two. Either it was in or it wasn’t. If you’re not 100 percent sure, then it’s your ethical responsibility to call it in. It’s often hard to see balls and lines accurately, especially when you’re on the run. Give your opponent the benefit of the doubt.

•You are allowed to question shots, gently. As in, “are you sure that ball was out?” If the answer is yes, the discussion is over. Best not to do this too often.

•When feeding a ball to your partner, or to a player on another court, deliver it conveniently. No rolling. No whacking it absentmindedly with your racket. Either throw it or tap it, gently, on one bounce if possible.

•Don’t take it easy on a lesser or older or younger player. You’re not doing him any favors. Play to win and let your opponent improve.

•When entering a court from outside the fence, wait until the game of whoever’s playing near you is over. Not the point, the game. Then hustle to your court as unobtrusively as possible.

•Ask your partner if he wants all three balls on his side at all times. If not, it’s OK to hold one on your side.

•Always call the game score before every first serve. The receiver never calls the score. If the server fails to call the score, the receiver can politely ask for it. If you question a score, make sure you have a good idea about how you arrived at the score you think is correct. Otherwise, the server’s version stands.

•A few people don’t agree with this one, but it really is good etiquette to apologize for your super lucky shot, such as one that tips the net and dribbles over or the one that falls in for a winner off the top of your racket’s frame.

•During the pre-match warmup, let your opponent serve without slamming back returns. The warmup is not the time to practice returns. Stop the ball after his serve, and wait for your turn to take some practice serves.

•Remember to shake hands at the end of the match, as this may help dissipate any lingering animosities.